Relief crashed over me.
"Thank you, doctor." My voice shook.
Olei heard, eyes lighting up. "Daddy's okay?"
"He's okay." I ruffled his hair. "He'll be good as new soon."
Julian stood, flashing his first smile of the night. "He's fine. That's great. I'll head out—visit when he's awake."
I nodded, watching him vanish down the hall. Suddenly, I felt lighter. Some things, some people, just needed an end.
Nurses wheeled Silas into a room. I followed with Olei.
"He needs rest," the nurse said. "You can stay, but keep it quiet."
I nodded, thanked her, and sat by the bed with Olei.
The room stayed hushed, machines beeping steady. I held Silas's hand. His fingers were cold—I tried warming them with mine.
Olei leaned on the bed's edge, head against my arm, watching for Daddy to wake. But he conked out soon. Kid had been through hell and never whined about being scared. I scooped him onto the cot, kissed his forehead.
Back at the bed, I studied Silas's pale face. First time I saw him, he stood by the old Pakhan—cold, commanding, radiating a don't-come-near vibe. I feared him, but he drew me in.
Hours passed. Night faded outside, skyline turning gray, then soft gold spilling in. The city woke, my eyelids drooping.
Silas stayed stable all night—I eased up. In a haze, I felt fingers in my hair. I snapped awake. Silas was up, eyes soft, my face reflected in his pupils.
"You're awake!" My voice came out louder than I meant.
"Been up a minute." His voice rasped, but stronger.
I stared, making sure he was real, then glared. "You know you scared the shit out of me last night?"
He reached out, brushing my cheek.
"I'm sorry I worried you, Anthea. And sorry for everything I did to hurt you." He spoke slow, weighing each word. "Sorry for six years ago—treating you like a tool, falling for you but picking ambition and that marriage. Sorry I wasn't there when you had Olei, left you alone as they took him."
I watched his eyes redden, tears coming for me too. His voice stayed hoarse, but he kept going.
"Sorry for the cameras in your apartment after we reunited, messing with you while you slept. For locking you up, nearly..." He choked.
My tears poured harder.
"You were a real bastard," I snapped. "I even thought about ditching you for good."
He wiped my tears, lips twisting bitter. "I regret it all—everything since you came back. I swore no one would hurt you again, but I did it myself."
"I hated you. Really hated you." I said. "When you caged me, I wanted to kill you. Your touch made me sick."
The memories still stung.
His body tensed, hand squeezing mine.
"But you let me go. You learned real letting go, not control." I paused. "That made me believe we could have a future."
He froze, like he couldn't believe it. "What? You're willing to give us a shot?"
I sniffled, lips curving up.
